The enforcement is important so that people can learn to follow the law and be serious about the fact that there are fines that they will pay for the different infringements they make.

He commented on the lead taken by the Governor of Ha’apai in ensuring that Ha’apai is clean all the time.

This follows enforcement officers from the Department of Environment, under the Ministry of MEIDECC, have been working with partners from the Tonga Police Force, Waste Authority and the Ministry of Health in finalising procedures to be followed while enforcing the law last week.

Preparation had included a meeting with the Solicitor General’s Office here in Nuku’alofa, where the Regulation and its clauses were clarified, along with awareness programmes that had started since the enactment of the Regulation in 2016.

Fines range from TOP$20 per infringement to TOP$2,000, depending on the severity of the infringement.

Spot fines are also options that could be implemented by the enforcement officers.